In particular, Bishop defended SUNO's much-maligned graduation rate, which is in the single-digits, while noting that UNO's 21 percent rate and others in the state are not cause for a lot of celebration. He said that the rates count only students who start and finish on the same campus in six years. He said a better measure is the "completer" total. "We have over 15,000 SUNO alumni who are making contributions, making an impact" in the region, he said.

Bishop also pointed the finger at Louisiana's primary and secondary schools as a culprit in the under-performing higher education system. SUNO's graduation rate, he said, "has everything to do with the nature of the students we are educating." Bishop said Jindal's merger talk has not addressed those concerns.

The new state representative, who has not yet attended a legislative session, predicted that the governor will not get his way on the issue.

In criticizing the governor, Bishop found an ally in Rep. Reed Henderson, D-Violet. "The governor doesn't have a plan," Reed said, framing Jindal's focus on New Orleans as myopic and piecemeal. "We know we have too many four-year schools and not enough two-year schools," he said. "We've been talking about that for three years. I'd like the governor to show some real leadership."

Henderson, however, did not join Bishop in predicting a rejection of the merger, nor did he say how he might vote on the issue. "I'm going to wait until I see the study" that Jindal has requested of the Board of Regents.

Bill Barrow can be reached at bbarrow@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3452.